The Culture Secretary has been warned that she "is not in charge" of
the BBC after attacking the corporation for its sexist sports coverage.

In a letter to Lord Hall, the new director-general, Maria Miller expressed her anger after John Inverdale, the presenter, said Wimbledon singles chamption Marion Bartoli.

She demanded that "further action" should be taken and requested updates from the corporation on what it is doing.

However Michael Lyons, the former chairman of the BBC Trust, said that while he was sympathetic to her views he was concerned she was infringing on the corporation's independence.

He said: "I would have some sympathy. There's an ongoing issue of how the BBC deals with gender issues and its portrayal of women. I think that something which Tony Hall is there to sort out. I can only hope that it's done.

"The only danger is a minister intervening issues like this could lead to a slippery slope. There's a world of difference between a minister saying she would expect better of the BBC and demanding regular reports.